Pediatric Cardiology

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Cardiology Content

Pediatric Cardiology Patient CJ Stubbs

CJ Stubbs had been playing sports all his life. He loved football and
rarely let anything hold him back. So when he began passing out during
football games and after strenuous exercise, his parents knew something
was wrong.

“CJ passed out on three different occasions after
exercising,” said his mom, Annette. “I took him to our pediatrician who
sent us to Brenner Children’s Hospital. I was worried that CJ would pass
out after exercising and didn’t seem to have any idea what was
happening. I wanted someone to check him out.”

Dr. Wesley Covitz, a pediatric cardiologist at Brenner Children’s
Hospital, used a CT scan to pinpoint CJ’s issue and diagnosed CJ with a
heart defect and recommended that he have surgery to correct it.

“The
defect was not allowing enough blood to flow to his heart and when he
exercised the heart muscle squeezed his coronary artery and caused CJ to
pass out,” Dr. Covitz said. “When students pass out after exercising,
it always something that needs to be evaluated.”

Other signs of a
heart problem include: passing out during strenuous exercise, shortness
of breath, chest pain, turning blue and a family history.

Our pediatric experts are trained to diagnosis and treat children with heart problems, Covitz said.

“It’s
important that parents seek the care of a pediatric expert when it
comes to the care of their child. We are specifically trained in both
cardiology and pediatrics to evaluate heart problems and treat them
aggressively.”

CJ underwent heart surgery last November and
recovered quickly. He can no longer pay competitive sports but stays
active by playing with a local recreation league. He takes a baby
aspirin daily.

“At first CJ had a hard time adjusting to not
doing something that he enjoyed doing,” his mom said. “But I have a very
determined young man. He isn’t going to let this hold him back.”

CJ,
15, is a sophomore at High Point Andrews High School has plans to
become a dentist. Brenner Children’s Hospital is part of Wake Forest
Baptist Medical Center.

The information on this Website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. If you have a medical problem or a health-related question, consult your physician or call Health On-Call at 336-716-2255 or 1-800-446-2255.